Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published Monday, January 19, 2026, 10:46 / Updated Monday, January 19, 2026 10:46
Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka, a former three-time Grand Slam winner, advanced to the second round of the Australian Open in Melbourne with a 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) victory over Serbia's Laslo Djere at the end of a three-hour, 20-minute marathon match.
Despite approaching 41 years of age and currently ranked 139th in the ATP rankings, Wawrinka was heavily supported by the Kia Arena crowd as the 2014 champion turned around a poor start to claim his first Australian Open win in five years.
The experience of “Stan the Man” made the difference
The first set was extremely balanced. Djere saved a set point at 5-4, then took advantage of the opportunity that immediately presented itself and managed the decisive break, closing out the set at 7-5.
Wawrinka did not give in. In the second set he raised the level of the game, broke in the fourth game and managed the end perfectly, leveling the situation in sets. The Swiss continued to apply pressure in the third set, where, after several missed opportunities, he managed the decisive break for 4-3 and turned the score to 2-1 in sets.
The fourth set brought a new tense moment. Djere broke to lead 4-2, but Wawrinka's experience came to the surface again. The Swiss returned immediately, and the match was decided in a tie-break. There, Wawrinka dominated authoritatively, broke away quickly and closed the match to the delight of the fans.
Stan Wawrinka, after the victory: “It's my last year, but the passion is still there”
After the match, Stan Wawrinka spoke emotionally about the special relationship with the Melbourne crowd:
“It's been a long journey with so many memories here. The reason I come back is the love you show me. It's my last year, the passion is still intact. I'm not young anymore, I have to be careful, but for moments like this I train every day,” said Wawrinka, according to atptour.com.
Statistically, Wawrinka impressed on serve, winning 86% of points played on the first serve and 64% on the second. He had no less than 18 break points, making three of them, including an extremely important one in the fourth set.
The next hurdle for Wawrinka
In the second round, Stan Wawrinka will meet the winner of the duel between the Czech Jiri Lehecka, seeded number 17, and the Frenchman Arthur Gea, who came from the qualifications. For the Swiss, this is his 20th appearance at the Australian Open and his 75th appearance at a Grand Slam tournament.
